Rangers points loss 'irrelevant' say Celtic

Happy Hoops: Celtic manager Neil Lennon gets a lift from Anthony Stokes, Scott Brown and Georgios Samaras after the club clinch the Scottish Premier title (PA)

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has described Rangers losing 10 points for going into administration as "irrelevant" to the Hoops' title win.

Rangers' punishment left them trailing their Old Firm rivals by 14 points in mid-February. Celtic never looked back and Neil Lennon was able to enjoy his first title win as manager after a 6-0 win at Kilmarnock on Saturday. Rangers' points deduction has led to talk of a "tainted title" but Lawwell told the BBC's Sportsweek: "It is irrelevant. We are worthy champions; there is no question we are the best team in Scotland. We try to concentrate on our success rather than failings and failures elsewhere."

Lawwell had a special word of praise for Lennon, saying: "I am very proud of him. He thoroughly deserves what he has achieved, particularly with what has happened to him over the last couple of years, where the pressures off the field have been immense. He is a mentally strong character and I am delighted for him."